Opinion | Why is Southeast Asia so concerned about Aukus and Australia’s plans for nuclear submarines?
- Many think there is no such thing as acquiring nuclear-powered submarines without the prospect of acquiring nuclear weapons in the future
- There are also fears Australian nuclear-powered submarines will change the dynamics in the South China Sea, though some governments appear to welcome any re-balancing against China
The Afghanistan debacle has left a bad taste among many Indo-Pacific countries, and some are wondering if the timing of the Aukus announcement was intended as a show of US power in the region to reassure jittery partners.
Fear of a nuclear arms race
To understand the deep anxiety in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and other Asean capitals requires some context on where they are coming from.
First, many of them think there is no such thing as acquiring nuclear-powered submarines without the prospect of acquiring nuclear weapons in the future.
Australia has not joined the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which requires parties to agree not to develop, test, produce, acquire, possess, stockpile or threaten to use nuclear weapons.
The Morrison government says the treaty would be inconsistent with its alliance with the US, a nuclear weapon power.